Without Kobe or Bynum, Lakers Still Clobber Spurs
by DexterFishmore on Feb 8, 2010 11:29 PM PST
in Game Recaps
60 comments
Wasn't this just THE most delightful game? While Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum continue to rest and rehabilitate, their mates have found a beautiful flow. Tonight the San Antonio Spurs were no match for the shorthanded Lakers, who prevailed 101 to 89. The Laker offense was thrusting and decisive. The Laker D recovered from an iffy start to choke off everything the Spurs tried to do. It's the second straight game the Lakers have glimpsed what they can accomplish when functioning as a concerted whole.
That iffy start took the form of a 9-0 San Antonio lead and a first quarter that reified our basic fears about this matchup. Tony Parker was getting wherever he wanted to go, hitting shots himself and setting up Tim Duncan. Part of the initial problem was the failure of the Laker big men to close off the paint; a bigger part was that Derek Fisher had no hope of impeding Parker's drives. The Spurs gashed the Lakers for 1.36 points per possession in the quarter, but the San Antonio lead was only six thanks to early three-point bombs from Ron Artest, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic.
Much as against Portland on Friday night, Phil Jackson pushed the right buttons and pulled the right levers to get the contraption humming. Laker defenders started jumping the passing lanes. San Antonio's shot attempts started coming further from the basket. The Spurs were kept off the free-throw line and the offensive glass. Meanwhile the Lakers used their speed to beat the Spurs on the fast break and get to the rim. Sasha, Ron and Lamar consistently found seams and gaps in the San Antonio D, and when halftime rolled around the Lakers had scratched out a three-point lead.
The second half witnessed a gradual strangulation of the visiting team. It became increasingly clear that the height and athleticism of the Laker front line, even without Bynum, was too much for the Spurs to handle. Pau Gasol struggled with his shot for much of the night - they were perfectly good looks that were just dancing the wrong way off the rim - but he was superb in every other respect. He held Tim Duncan to below 50% shooting, grabbed 19 rebounds, dished out eight assets and blocked five shots. It was a performance worthy of a franchise player, as he demonstrated how his wealth of skills can dominate a game even when his shot is off.
The Laker ball movement tonight was, on the whole, exquisite. With Kobe not around, the other Lakers seem to realize that they need to commit to the Triangle on every possession to get sound scoring opportunities. Let's hope that the lesson sticks when the Mamba is back and reintegrated.
We don't yet know whether that will happen Wednesday night in Utah, or whether he'll wait until after the All-Star break. It should be apparent to everyone that he shouldn't and doesn't need to rush back. The store is being minded. The fort is being held.
The Lakers are now 40-13. They're five games up on Denver in the Western Conference and 1½ (plus a tiebreaker) behind Cleveland. As for the Spurs, they appear not to be a team we need to worry about any longer.
|
|
Poss. |
TO% |
FTA/ |
FT% |
3FGA/FGA |
2PT% |
3PT% |
EFG |
TS% |
OReb Rate |
DReb Rate |
PPP |
|
S.A. |
92 |
14 |
0.22 |
83 |
0.15 |
44 |
33 |
45 |
48 |
21 |
72 |
0.97 |
|
L.A. |
92 |
11 |
0.30 |
73 |
0.16 |
44 |
43 |
47 |
51 |
28 |
79 |
1.10 |
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LOL
this was funniest comment on game thread, “Man, it’s a good thing that the Lakers weren’t missing Odom and Gasol too, or the Spurs would have lost by 50.”
Bless you Lakers that game was DEE-LICIOUS!!!
Best game of the year so far, and by far!
I am far from the biggest Shaq fan but let me paraphrase him just this once:
How’d that taste Spurs fans?
Woohoo! We don’t even need Kobe or Bynum. But I’m thinkin’ if we meet the Spurs in the playoffs they would be Killer coming off the bench.
Strike the Spurs off the “Contenders list”
No more posting for me I am too lit-up celebrating. Who gives a shit what happens in Utah. As Kobe puppet says: “We flamin’!!!”
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
But I’m thinkin’ if we meet the Spurs in the playoffs they would be Killer coming off the bench.
haha did you just suggest kobe coming off the bench? xD
Just being a little sarcastic. (Plus I was a little drunk.)
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 9, 2010 5:48 AM PST up reply actions
SWD
Sarcastic While Drunk…
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
Hey, look who's back!
You kind of, uh, disappeared on us after halftime of the Portland game.
Twitter feed: @dexterfishmore
by DexterFishmore on Feb 9, 2010 2:20 PM PST up reply actions
LOL
Dex have you been impatiently waiting to call him out on that all this time?
"That's a giant sig " - Ben R.
by Saurav A. Das on Feb 9, 2010 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
Wow! I just got back from the game. My yapping about the Lakers every day work
paid off. If you guys were to see my cubicle you would know what I mean. Anyways, a friend from work had an extra ticket to todays game and I jumped at the chance. I was the first person he thought of. I had no idea they would be from the VIP section. I’m still in awe at the whole experience. Out of all the games I coulod have gone I went to this one. No Kobe..no problem. This might come as a surprise because I have a change of heart. I know it’s only one game but the games that I have seen live this year has made one thing obvious. The Lakers should start Farmar and bring Fisher off the bench. Fishers’ calming presence would help the bench. The Lakers running the pick n roll with Pau and Farmar is just great. Even if Farmar misses it creates so much for everyone else. Also, there is no way that Ariza could bring what Artest does. His physical presence is just so obvious in the paint. He just causes havoc for the opposing team.
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Feb 8, 2010 11:39 PM PST reply actions
Grats on getting to a great game
I hope the team continues to work as a TEAM when Kobe gets back. They defer to him a lot, and it’s worked most of the time. These last two games though show what we can do when we’re all working together. Get Kobe in the mix and boom, game over, we run the next 4-5 years.
Thanx
I defenitely agree. In the DVD of the first title part of the story was about Kobe wanting to take over games and just make it an individual game. But then he broke his hand and he was forced to sit out and the Lakers went on a crazy run. When Kobe came back, he noticed how much better the team played when they ran the triangle and he bought into the system and made an effort to give the ball to Shaq and they won their first title. I also remember that Phil used let the role players on the Bulls play through tough moments while MJ was on the bench dying to get in. But he doesn’t do that with Kobe. I love Kobe but it is obvious how talented and deep this team really is when they play team ball.
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Feb 8, 2010 11:50 PM PST up reply actions
Absolutely agree about Farmar over Fisher...
It still puzzles me why there is no great frenzy for this change in Laker Land. Fisher is the worst starting PG in the NBA yet it’s like he’s got some sort of immunity necklace from Survivor or something…
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
"immunity necklace"
I like that. I think that it has a lot to do with Phil’s tendency to prefer experience over youth. Aside from all the ways that Farmar is better, he lacks one thing that is huge in my opinion. He tends to run a faster offense and that at times, mostly in crucial moments, throws the offense out of wack. he doens’t have a calm demeanor. Similar to Kobe in his early years. We all saw great potential but he wanted to play at his own speed rather than comform to the offense.
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Feb 9, 2010 9:30 AM PST up reply actions
This is the turning point ...
I think Kobe’s injury is a blessing in disguise. Without Kobe bailing out the offense, the team has learned to trust the triangle and each other. The triangle execution was beautiful in the second half today (except for Shannon Brown thinking he is Kobe and becoming a chucker). There was Gasol posting and re-posting with Fisher, Lamar cutting and finishing authoritatively, hell, even Sasha hit his threes today.
I think Phil should stop relying on the Gasol and Kobe isolation plays that we’ve seen so much this season, which really took everyone else out of rhythm. When defenses started collapsing and helping (as we saw in both Cleveland games), then Gasol, Bynum, and Kobe had trouble finishing in the post.
What made the Lakers offense beastly last year was the interior passing and the unselfish ball movement (remember Game 5 against the Magic?). Today reminded me strongly of the good old days when the Lakers owned the best offense in the league.
Now let’s see if we can incorporate Bynum into this newfound triangle execution …
Lakers 5-0 this season when Bynum plays less than 15 minutes
Something to ponder
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Ball moves relatively well in those games too
35, 29, 27, 25, and 20 assists.
Honestly at this point I think the biggest reason for the Lakers offensive efficiency slump to start this season has been making more of a focal point of Bynum. I’d like to hope that he’s still “getting adjusted” to playing with Pau Gasol in the front court, but it’s hard to say whether things will get better come playoff time.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
I think it's not the minutes of Bynum
Its more about playing Bynum and Pau together. Pau played better with LO. Phil should ask Bynum to play with the second unit and see how he responds (LO has been through that already. Now it’s Bynum’s turn. Plus that’s a motivation factor for Bynum because he knows that playing time is not given but earned.
what you described
is exactly the minutes.
Playing Pau and bynum together = big minutes for Bynum. Bynum on the bench = small minutes.
I think Bynum should go back to the bench. That creates more problems though.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Bynum might go into a shell, but I am feeling these lakers don't really need him sometimes.
You all know what I am talking about like when he disappears for whole quarters or halves.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 9, 2010 9:55 AM PST up reply actions
I'm glad we have Gasol
but he could never be Odom.
And if we kept Caron it was game over a long time before.
what are you implying?
That Kobe Caron Odom would be better than Kobe Gasol Odom? Don’t make me laugh…
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
caron butler is garbage
PERIOD.
you must not watch the wizards.
Caron is actually a pretty decent player
And nothing the Wizards do this year, any of them should count as they have just been a shell of the old wizards teams.
next game against utah
will be the 1000th regular season game played for d-fish…and kobe if he plays
The Spurs Are Dead
good riddance.
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Feb 9, 2010 12:17 AM PST reply actions
Woot woot!
I thoroughly enjoyed the LA vs SA game. Hellz yeah, giving the team confidence and belief that we ARE DAMN GOOD without KB24. Let’s hope that this continues :)
Oh I also forgot to introduce myself! My name is Stephanie (but I go by Cappie) and I am from the LA Area, currently residing in Marina Del Rey. Been watching the Lakers play since I was 5, all thank to my father.
Love this website! It was my salvation during those times when I had to study for an exam and had to miss games! Last night was one of the first times I posted on a thread and I hope to continue it for awhile.
Welcome Cappie.
Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."
Welcome Cappie
it would be good for you to know that there are lots of other ladies here also. Intuitive, PeanutButterSpread, Brittney, SocalGal….
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Welcome Cappie
"That's a giant sig " - Ben R.
by Saurav A. Das on Feb 9, 2010 2:58 AM PST up reply actions
Thank you!
thanks for making me feel welcome peeps =)
and thanks for the heads-up altree. That’s great to know there are chicks who are into this great game of basketball here on the boards!
Man, the Spurs fans are just thrashing RJ right now. I didn’t know he has been that bad this year. Did I miss something?
Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."
did you visit PtR?
You would think RJ is a D-Leaguer the way they talk about him there.
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Incorrect
They said they would even be willing to trade him for a D-Leaguer.
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Right, and someone on our thread today called Pau Gasol "unbelievably bad"
Circumspection is not in great enough supply on SBN, it seems.
Twitter feed: @dexterfishmore
by DexterFishmore on Feb 9, 2010 1:15 AM PST up reply actions
In the heat of the moment's more like it
but it’s really a bummer at times.
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
I hate to say it
but PTR has a bit more justification for their frustration. Jefferson has been a very real disappointment this season.
RJ trade was suppose to be one of the best over the summer...
and now, its something that might cripple SA completely. They were never a team with scoring mentality so why did they trade for RJ when is not a good defender? They went over luxury tax for that and are now screwed. If they don’t do something right now, their window of winning a championship with TD is shut.
I think the way his contract is set
I don’t think they could trade him this season. Or at least there would be no takers I imagine
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
even without any rule preventing the trade
no one would take some1 who makes so much money n plays so badly
Man, I totally called it during the offseason that RJ wasn’t going to do anything to help the Spurs. The guy has always been a scrub that has just benefited from being in the presence of Jason Kidd, and being the only offensive force after everyone left in NJ.
This is totally unsuprising. I laugh at those you who were worried about the Spurs!!! LAUGH I SAY!! MUAAAH AHAH AHA HA
In Kobe we trust!
They can legally
They can trade him this season but I doubt anyone will want him. He has about $14M this year and around $15.5M next year. With teams either shedding payroll for next years free agent or just cost cutting because of the economy, I doubt anyone would take that contract for someone playing so poorly.
Another thing that was noticeable...
Lakers didn’t get in foul trouble; because they were at home and because the refs probably compensated lightly for them for missing two of their biggest players in a home game.
SA had their hands up asking for a foul on a lot of the plays… and while they weren’t necessarily fouls, they might have been called if they were in SA
Queerest stat...
… D-Fish: 0 assists. I guess that’s the triangle for ya.
FINALLY, somebody here agrees with me!!!
As for the Spurs, they appear not to be a team we need to worry about any longer.
The Spurs’ current winning record is completely inflated by wins over cream puffs, mostly at home. By the end of this month they’ll be at .500 and by the end of the season they’ll be watching television.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
lol it depends on who we is.
if we is the lakers than yes.
If we is the injured ravaged Blazers, than no! I expect a dog fight at the end of the season between Por, SA, Pho, Houston and maybe even OKC to stay above the 8th seed. Cuz lets face it…the 8th seed is hardly much better than the 9th :-)
In Kobe we trust!
Well I watch ESPN first take just to Skip Bayless (brainless) reaction on his Spurs getting there Butt handed to them, no KB or Bynum.
He goes into this Rant about how the Spurs were just not playing all out and saving themselves for the Post Season. This dude is just what ESPN is delusional about anything in LA. Again Ron step up along with Jordan, Sasha, and Lamar and Pau had stellar games. Now Fish just needs to be let go for not scoring the most points and the best defender in the NBA, yah lets just put him in blocks outside the Dorms at Queenston.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 9, 2010 9:50 AM PST reply actions
Yeah, I believe that was the spin last year too
as they would rest starters at certain periods during the regular seaons, since they were out in the first round, they got to rest even more than they would have liked.
No more raining on BN's rainy parade, they took their ball and went home, lmao.
Skip actually thinks LA is a good team
He actually says they are often. In fact he also says Kobe and Gasol are one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. Maybe you don’t watch him enough, but he does consider L.A. one of the best teams in the league, but like most he didn’t expect the Lakers without the no. 1 guard and their no. 2 big man to beat the Spurs by double digits.
I have listen that myopic jerk to many times and he hates the Lakers.
LA Sports is what keep me off the streets and out of trouble, thanks to all the teams Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, USC sports and the Love of Tennis.
by so.cal.native1952 on Feb 9, 2010 1:35 PM PST up reply actions
i don't think it's that farfetched to assume the spurs were not playing hard.
Pop still rests his stars for random reasons
though i don’t think the spurs were trying to save themselves yesterday. It’s just that the lakers stepped up and the spurs played badly. yesterday’s game was a confidence boost, but hardly indicative. take for example, sasha’s not going to go 3/3 from the field very often even if he went back to machine form and san antonio missed A LOT of wide open shots from the perimeter (though good job to the lakers for containing parker relatively well).
If you think they intentionally were not playing hard
then you obviously didn’t read about Pop’s post game comments as per Wojnarowski’s blog:
Afterward, Popovich had gone into the locker room and ripped into his players one more time, calling them "soft" and wondering how the hell they could be so mentally and physically obliterated without Kobe and Bynum on the floor
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Regular games he doesn't care too much about
But he viewed this game as a measuring stick, as to whether or not they could actually contend.
There’s far more pressure on the Spurs this season than in seasons past, as they’re paying a lot of luxury tax, have one of their core players’ contracts expiring after this year, and their star is getting older.
"That's a giant sig " - Ben R.
by Saurav A. Das on Feb 9, 2010 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
correct
just like coach PJ. They know the window is closing, that’s why they are trying to be relevant (in championship aspirations) now
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Uhh, sorry about the double post
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
correct
just like coach PJ. They know the window is closing, that’s why they are trying to be relevant (in championship aspirations) now
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
i didn't say the spurs were slacking during the game last night.
but i do believe they are not going 100% for the season and are overall still “saving themselves”. I believe if they played “hard” every night, they would be much better than a 6th seed in the west.
yeah re-read your previous post again
I think I can agree with that. Still, that’s what they did last year, and it didn’t work. They stalled at first round, if I’m not mistaken
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
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